Opium tincture versus methadone syrup in management of acute raw opium withdrawal: A randomized, double-blind, controlled trial

ABSTRACT

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of opium tincture versus methadone syrup in the management of acute withdrawal syndrome in opium dependent patients during the detoxification period. In this double-blind randomized controlled study, a total of 74 adult male raw opium dependent patients were treated with opium tincture or methadone syrup 2 times daily for 5 consecutive days. Detoxification was initiated by tapered dose reductions to reach abstinence. At the end of the 10th day, the medications were discontinued. The Objective Opioid Withdrawal Scale was used to assess withdrawal symptoms every day. Significant decreases on the Objective Opioid Withdrawal Scale were found for both treatment methods during the study period (p < .0001). However, there was no significant difference between groups on the total Objective Opioid Withdrawal Scale, and adverse effects existed. Opium tincture can be considered as a potential substitute for methadone syrup for suppression of raw opium withdrawal symptoms, with minimal adverse effects.

KEYWORDS:

• Detoxification
• methadone
• opium tincture
• withdrawal

Acknowledgments

This study was Dr. Farzaneh Tabassomi's postgraduate thesis in psychiatry. The authors would like to thank the nursing staff of the MMT clinic of Zare Psychiatric Hospital for their contributions toward conducting this study.

Funding

This study was supported by a grant from the Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences.